Undergarment with interactive communication purpose

ABSTRACT

An improved undergarment is disclosed for allowing a wearer of the undergarment to selectively communicate a message relating to bedroom behavior. Disclosed also is system for an undergarment consisting of an undergarment comprising a front external face, a back external face and a means for removable attachment of at least one label to the front external face or the back external face, and at least one label comprising a message that relates to human behavior in the bedroom, the label for removable attachment to the undergarment.

NOTICE REGARDING USE OF TRADEMARK

The Applicant herein uses the term Date Panties™ and Date Panty™ (individually each term is referred to herein as ‘Mark’) in connection with the disclosure of embodiments for an undergarment/undergarment system per the disclosed invention. The reader is advised that the Applicant claims ownership rights in the Mark and at all times reserves for the Applicant intellectual property rights in the Mark.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to fashion and more specifically to fashionable multipurpose undergarments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Per a scene in the 1984 coming-of-age film, Sixteen Candles, Sam, the female protagonist, gives her panties to a “geek”. The “geek” then charges admission to the boys' restroom for a viewing of the panties “trophy” he had acquired. From father-son stories to personal experiences to contemporary folk mythology, the significance of a young man acquiring a young woman's panties has come to signify a rite of passage of sorts. Similarly, per a symbolic wedding ceremony tradition, the groom removes a garter strap from the leg of his bride and tosses it in the air for bachelor wedding guests to fight over. Thus undergarments or parts thereof are known to be used to symbolically communicate certain messages to those who see them or acquire them. However, the owner of the undergarment or part of undergarment is limited in the described communication being unable to define and control the actual meaning of the “trophy.” A woman's participation in this transaction has been limited by the style of undergarment she chooses to wear. The applicant has invented an undergarment that serves the normal functions of an undergarment (as reusable body covering) and one which enables its wearer to control the message the undergarment communicates to one who sees the undergarment. Thus the disclosed undergarment might be suggestively and distinctively called a Date Panty™ or Date Panties™, i.e., panties worn by a wearer when the wearer intends the panties to be seen by a non-wearer of the panties. The names Date Panty™ and Date Panties™ are not intended however to limit the disclosed invention in any way but are offered as an illustration of one possible use of the disclosed invention and/or one possible way to market the invention. The applicant has invented an undergarment system whereby one or more labels comprising messages is attachable to the undergarment, then removable and replaceable.

Various improvements relating to garments are known, including the following: U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,586 to Lipper entitled “Promotional hang-tag with integral removable tattoo;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,928 to Koenig entitled “Versatile garment attachment and article of clothing;” U.S. Pat. D553,826 and D559,501 to Austin entitled “Undergarment with a pocket,” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,580 to Foo entitled “Jacket with changeable attachments;” U.S. Pat. No. 2,688,136 to Freedman entitled “Garment,” and U.S. Pat. No. 2,556,039 to Landert entitled “Blouse.” However, the applicant is not aware of prior art directed to an improved undergarment and undergarment system for facilitating user-controlled communication relating to bedroom behavior of the user of the undergarment and for facilitating interactive intimate play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Per the disclosed system for an undergarment, a user (i.e., wearer) of the undergarment is empowered to communicate his/her desired message while wearing the undergarment that might be seen by another. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosed, an undergarment is adorned alternatively with a button or ribbon on its front external face whereby a label bearing a pre-printed message can be affixed to the undergarment, removed from the undergarment, and replaced (with the same label or a different label). Thus the disclosed undergarment comprises a message that is controlled by the wearer (and/or selected by the wearer from a plurality of possible messages) and the message is changeable, removable, replaceable, even tradable (thus creating a market and demand for labels bearing messages for use per the disclosed systems for undergarments). The term “human behavior in the bedroom” as used herein shall refer broadly to conduct (verbal and non-verbal communication, physical interaction, other behavior) of individuals that is normally deemed to be intimate human behavior, including but not limited to sexual behavior and associated play. The term “message” is used broadly herein to refer to for example text, digits, letter(s), logo, trademark, image, ornamentation, an attachment, or combinations thereof, all of which capable of communicating something to an observer. The disclosed undergarment is versatile and may be used without the communication function in those instances when the wearer does not intend the panty to communicate a message or to be seen by another. In that instance, no label is used with the disclosed undergarment. When used in connection with a date, a wearer of the undergarment per the disclosed system may signal his/her willingness, or lack thereof, to engage in sexual intercourse with a date, the wearer thus being prepared to communicate this information if the undergarment becomes exposed during the date. The disclosed undergarment may alternatively be used in interactive play whereby the wearer removably attaches several labels to the undergarment, each label having a unique message, thereby inviting the other party to the interactive play to manually remove successive labels until the message acceptable to that other party, or to both the wearer and the other party, is exposed and used as the controlling message for the interactive play.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an undergarment per the disclosed system for an undergarment where the means of removable attachment of a label is a button.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of an undergarment per the disclosed system for an undergarment where the label is attached with a ribbon.

FIG. 3 shows several alternative embodiments for the means of attachment of a label to an undergarment per the disclosed system.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred method of construction of a label for use with the disclosed undergarment system.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment for a package configuration for the disclosed undergarment system.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment for the replaceable message comprising a pocket for use with the disclosed undergarment

FIG. 7 depicts illustrative embodiment of labels bearing message for use with the disclosed undergarment system.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed undergarment system for promoting interactive intimate play via the undergarment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 disclose several alternative embodiments for the means for removable attachment of a label to an undergarment per the disclosed invention. Per FIG. 1, the means for attachment is a button (40) which is fixedly attached to the front face of the undergarment 20 and a label (10) comprising a pre-printed message (3) is removably attachable (via the methodology as depicted by the arrow (60) to the button (40) via a buttonhole (50) or similar opening on the label (10). The term ‘button’ as used herein shall refer broadly to the common, plain meaning of the term and shall also refer to other substrates fixedly attachable to an undergarment and capable of supporting a label as described.

Per FIG. 2, the label (10) comprising a message (30) is tied with a piece of ribbon as a means for removable attachment o the label. The ribbon is fixedly attached to the undergarment, an end is slipped through the slit or buttonhole of the label and tied with the other end to create a bow. The label is removable by manually untying the ribbon.

FIG. 3 shows alternative constructions for the label (10). Shown is a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro (50/500 and 40/400) as well as a sewn buttonhole (50/501), dual rivet (50/502), single rivet (50/503) for polyester and nylon labels (10/100) and a molded buttonhole (50/504) for rubber or polyvinyl chloride labels (10/102). It is noted that labels may be constructed from a materials such as polyester, nylon, or polyvinyl chloride. Per an alternative embodiment (not shown), the disclosed label may be attached to either/both of a front face and a back face of the disclosed undergarment.

FIG. 4 shows steps per a preferred method of construction for labels for use with the disclosed undergarment system. Upon contacting label manufacturers for making of commercial quantities of the disclosed undergarment system, the applicant learned it is not common practice in the garment industry to manufacture labels as standalone items since labels are typically sewn directly into garments. The disclosed garment system utilizes a removable label with a pre-printed message. Thus, a method is needed to create a removable label for the disclosed invention from a strip of labels with pre-printed messages. Per FIG. 4, the unassembled single-ply strip of label (10) has a message (30) printed on its face in mirror form with one copy of the message being right side up (30) and the other being upside down (30/300). The label is folded right sides (10/100) facing each other and the wrong (message-free) side (10/101) facing out. The label (10) is then stitched together (10/150) at the top open end. The stitched label (10) is then turned right side out (10/151) creating one double-ply label (10) with the message facing out. At the top of the label (10) a buttonhole (50/501) or similar slit or opening is stitched, completing construction of the label (10). The label could be constructed from polyester, nylon, cotton, or another soft and pliable material typically used to construct tags and labels for the garment industry.

FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred packaging configuration for presentation of the disclosed undergarment system in retail sales. The assembled undergarment (10/30/40/50) is attached to a tri-fold package (25). Multiple labels (10) bearing different messages (30) are attached to the package (25) using a partially die-cut nib (45). The cut portion of the nib (45) is punched outward (75) creating an attachment apparatus on which the label can be placed using an attachment methodology (45/60). Labels (10) can be marketed without the undergarment (20) on a single sheet of card stock (27) bearing the same die-cut nibs (45). Multiple labels bearing multiple messages (30/300-30-306) can be assembled and sold as refills.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment for the label where the label comprises a pocket for containment of an item such as but not limited to a condom, a feather or other small toy for intimate play. Per FIG. 6, a label (50/505) may be constructed from plastic (110) and bearing a transparent pocket (10/105) for containing a condom with a message (30) pre-printed on the condom's external wrapper (107). When the condom/wrapper is placed inside the pocket of the label (50/505), the message (30) can be read through the transparent pocket (110). Alternatively, a customized condom/wrapper combination (10/120) with a pre-printed message (30) may be constructed with an opening (50/510) (a buttonhole, a slit, or similar as previously described for options for the label attachment means) directly on the condom/wrapper combination (10/120), thus making the condom/wrapper combination (10/120) function as a label (30).

FIG. 7 illustrates several non-limiting examples of messages (30) for labels (10) per the disclosed invention of a system for an undergarment. A few examples of messages deemed to relate to human behavior in the bedroom include the following: “NO MEANS NO” (30/320), “YES” (30/310), “If you can read this you're too close” (30/330) and “What took you so long?” (30/340). The messages possible for use with the disclosed undergarment system are limitless and are deemed within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an undergarment system suitable for interactive play where a plurality of labels (10) with pre-printed messages are removably attached to a securement means such as but not limited to a button (40) on an undergarment (20). Removing a message exposes another message that was placed just underneath the removed message. The wearer of the undergarment communicates a desire to be playful by the act of manually placing more than one label on the undergarment. 

1. A system for a versatile improved undergarment consisting of an undergarment comprising a front external face, a back external face and a means for removable attachment of at least one label to the front external face or the back external face, and a plurality of labels, each label comprising a pre-printed message that relates to human behavior in the bedroom, each label for removable and replaceable attachment to the undergarment.
 2. The system per claim 1 wherein the message further comprises a third party advertisement that relates to human behavior in the bedroom.
 3. An undergarment comprising a front external face, a back external face, and a label removably affixed to the front external face or the back external face, the label comprising a pre-printed message that relates to human behavior in the bedroom.
 4. An undergarment comprising a front external face, a back external face, a first label containing a first message removably attached to the front external face of the undergarment, a second label comprising a second message removably attached to the back external face, the first message and the second message relating to human behavior in the bedroom.
 5. An undergarment per claim 4 wherein the first message and the second message comprise substantially the same message.
 6. An undergarment comprising a front face and a pocket removably attachable to the front face of the undergarment, the pocket for receivably containing at least one condom, the pocket comprising a pre-printed message that relates to human behavior in the bedroom.
 7. An undergarment per claim 3 wherein the undergarment is a woman's panties.
 8. A system for an undergarment per claim 1 wherein the message comprises a third party advertisement that relates to human behavior in the bedroom.
 9. A system for an undergarment per claim 1 wherein the undergarment is a woman's panties.
 10. An undergarment per claim 3 where the undergarment is a man's undergarment.
 11. An undergarment comprising a front external face and a back external face, a button fixedly attached to the front external face, a label comprising a pre-printed message removably affixed to the button, the message relating to human behavior in the bedroom.
 12. An undergarment comprising a label removably attachable to a front external face of the undergarment by way a ribbon attached to the undergarment, the label comprising a pre-printed message selected by a wearer of the undergarment, the message relating to human behavior in the bedroom.
 13. A label comprising at least one pre-printed message that relates to human behavior in the bedroom, the label constructed of a soft and pliable material, the label for removable, replaceable attachment to an undergarment.
 14. A label per claim 13 wherein the undergarment is a woman's panties.
 15. A label per claim 13 wherein the undergarment is a man's undergarment and where the message comprises a third party advertisement that relates to human behavior in the bedroom.
 16. A package comprising a plurality of labels, each label comprising a pre-printed message relating to human behavior in the bedroom, each label for removable attachment to a face of an undergarment, the undergarment comprising an attachment means for affixing the label to the undergarment.
 17. A package per claim 16 wherein at least one label comprises a pre-printed message that comprises a third party advertisement relating to human behavior in the bedroom.
 18. A package configuration comprising in combination at least one undergarment comprising a means for removable attachment of a label to a front external face of the undergarment, and a plurality of labels, each label comprising a pre-printed message relating to human behavior in the bedroom.
 19. A package configuration per claim 18 wherein the message comprises a third party advertisement relating to human bedroom behavior.
 20. A method of construction of a single-ply pre-printed label, the label comprising a front face, a back face, a top end, and a bottom end, a central axis defining an equal top half and bottom half of the front face, a first message printed on the front face above the central axis, a second message printed on the front face below the central axis in a mirror relationship to the first message, the method comprising the steps of: a. folding the label along the central axis with the front face inside to expose the back face, b. stitching the top end and the bottom end together to create a stitched end, c. turning the label inside out to expose the front face, d. creating an opening in the label substantially near the top stitched end and away from the pre-printed message, the opening adapted to allow removable attachment of the label to a button.
 21. A method per claim 20 wherein the first message and the second message are the same message. 